September 23rd 2025

23/9/2025

Weekend Belmond & Goonbarrow Gloom!
Craig Munday

A week of contrasting light in Cornwall. A mixed forecast with a promise of a bright Sunday morning to coincide with the Belmond Britannic Explorer on its second revenue operating trip. 66748 wasn't provided this trip, 66701 was which made a colourful sight with 66744 in the latter GBRf livery. The train was pictured at St Austell in wet conditions. 20.09.2025, copyright Craig Munday.

The Penzance - Fowey leg of the journey seen at Treverrin in the evening, catching the very last sharp sun of the day. 20.09.205, copyright Craig Munday.

St Winnow the following morning, the remarkable fortune in the river mist evaporating in front of my eyes is a marvel I never tire of. 21.09.2025, copyright Craig Munday.

66701 leads the Britannic Explorer towards Lostwithiel passing St. Winnows Church. 21.09.2025, copyright Craig Munday.

66744 on the rear of the train passing St. Winnows Church. 21.09.2025, copyright Craig Munday.

A great atmospheric shot from earlier in the week of a class 150 pausing in the mist at Goonbarrow. 18.09.2025, copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks as always Craig - a superb selection.

The first Class 175's to Penzance
Tony Shore, Joe Birchall, Roger Winnen, Roger Salter, Mark Lynam & Jon Hird

Monday 22.09 saw the first trip west of Liskeard for GWR's new (to them!) class 175 units. Units 175009 and 175114 ran as 5Z12, the 0751 Plymouth - Plymouth via Penzance. The unit later did a second run through Cornwall. We're advised that the purpose for these trips is for guard and driver training, and two units have been used so that they can use the selective door unlocking on platforms where the full length of the train would not fit.

More trips are planned for the rest of the week - times on RTT for those interested (for example, today - run 1, today - run 2).

The first 175 into Lostwithiel - 175009 leads 5Z12 into the station on 22.09.2025. Copyright Tony Shore.

Above images © Tony Shore - click for enlargements & captions.

Today I managed to see one the 175’s test run, headed by 175 009 and 175 114 on the rear, as seen easing their way down the 1 in 78 to Truro. 22.09.2025, copyright Joe Birchall.

The first 175 to arrive at Penzance. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

The above images © Roger Winnen - click for enlargements/captions

'Penzance welcomes you' - the 175's on the blocks at Penzance. 22.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

The units as seen from the sea wall at Penzance. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.

Departure from Penzance with the return journey to Plymouth. 22.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

175114 leads the way past Long Rock en route to Plymouth. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.

The return train is seen arriving at St Erth at 11.19 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

The above images © Roger Winnen - click for enlargements/captions

3-car 175114 leads the return leg of 5Z12 past Dowgas, Coombe. 22.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

175 pulls into Lostwithiel on the way back to Plymouth. 22.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

Above images © Tony Shore - click for enlargements & captions.

The classic Cornish shot, perfectly lit. 175009 leads 5Z35, the 1525 Plymouth - Plymouth via Penzance past Wheal Busy crossing, Scorrier. 22.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

Arriving at Penzance on the second trip from Plymouth at 17.43 this evening. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

Arriving back into Platform 4. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

Just after sunset - 1916 - the pair of 175's head towards Crugwallins on the return to Plymouth Laira for the night. 22.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

A drone shot at Crugwallins with the sun just below the horizon as 175114 and 175009 head back to Laira. 22.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Thanks all - a bumper crop of images of this 'first'. Doesn't that livery look so much better than the GWR green - let's hope a few stay wearing it.

Saltash Scenes
Simon Smith

My farewell to the HSTs, got the one on the left (43098 tailing 43187) from Plymouth to Saltash and got the one on the right (43042 leading 43198) back. The one on the left had made extra stops as the Gunnislake branch was suspended for a track inspection, so it was a bit tight, but meant that I got this unforgettable shot. I grew up on the ECML, I'm unlikely to make it to Scotland, so this will I think be it. Fittingly last built 198 was on the back of my last trip. Hadn't completely planned Saltash but it worked well, tagged into a free 1st class return to Plymouth, paid by GWR Rewards points! 20.09.2025, copyright Simon Smith.

Also accidentally caught 66054 on the Bridge earlier on that afternoon, had been booked to pause at Plymouth but went straight through. 20.09.2025, copyright Simon Smith.

Many thanks Simon, a very lucky catch with the passing HST's - well done.

The Isle of Wight
Michael Forward

I spent a very enjoyable week on the Island last week and was lucky enough to see the five class 484 emus,ex London Transport D78 trains.

Here is 484001 arriving at Ryde St.Johns Road on 19 September with the 15.55 for Ryde Pier. Copyright Michael Forward.

At Brading the signal box survives ,this controlled the 'main' line and the branch to Bembridge. The levers can be seen, I am not sure if it is open to the public. Copyright Michael Forward.

The station at Brading has been beautifully restored and maintained and there is a small heritage centre,also serving refreshments,on the up platform. The station comes to life when the two services pass here about every 40 minutes.Only Mrs. Michael visible at 5pm on 16 September 2025. Copyright Michael Forward.

Many thanks Michael - interesting photographs of an interesting railway system! Glad you had a good trip.

The Southwest RHTT arrives
Bill Elston

The RHTT season is upon us again, and this autumn it is being operated by GBRf out of Fairwater Yard.

Today, 22.09, a fresh RHTT worked from Eastleigh to Taunton as 6Z58, double-headed by 57305 and 57303, with 57310 bringing up the rear, seen passing Creech in brilliant sunlight.

57305, 303 and 310 pass Creech St. Michael with wagons for this years Southwest RHTT. 22.09.2025, copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill - they won't stay that clean for long!

GWR 57 light loco movement
Roger Winnen, Mark Lynam, Roger Salter & Tony Shore

On 22.09.2025, GWR's 57602 was sent light loco from Long Rock to Laira in preparation for driver training runs later in the week.

57602 awaits departure from Penzance. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

With its engine running, 57602 stands in the sidings at Penzance awaiting its path to Laira. 22.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

As the 175's pull into platform 4, 57602 slips away from Penzance for Laira. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.

57301 at the head of the GWR sleeper stock at Long Rock. 57602 had travelled down dead on the rear overnight from Reading. 22.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.